Communication device outputting information on a plurality of printing devices that execute printing operations using printing agent accommodated in cartridge

ABSTRACT

In a communication device, a processor identifies first and second group printing devices in accordance with device information on each printing device, and outputs device information corresponding to the first and second group printing devices in a distinguishable manner. A printing device having a tank accommodating printing agent greater than or equal to a first reference is identified as the first and second group printing devices. A printing device having a tank accommodating printing agent less than the first reference is identified as the second group printing device. A printing device without tank and in which a cartridge accommodating printing agent less than a second reference and greater than or equal to a third reference is identified as the first group printing device. A printing device without tank and in which the cartridge accommodating printing agent less than the third reference is identified as the second group printing device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/371,791, filed Apr. 1, 2019, and further claims priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2018-091391 filed May 10, 2018. Theentire contents of both application are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a technique for outputting informationon a plurality of printing devices that execute printing operationsusing printing agent accommodated in a cartridge.

BACKGROUND

A management server that manages a plurality of printing devices usingtoner is well known in the art. The management server predicts thetiming at which toner must be replenished in each printing device. Whena plurality of printing devices need toner replenished at the sametiming, the management server supplies the toner for the plurality ofprinting devices all at once.

SUMMARY

However, the conventional technology does not sufficiently considercases in which the printing devices under management are of differenttypes. Consequently, the potential for difficulties has existed in themanagement of printing agent for printing devices that include differenttypes of printing devices.

In view of the foregoing it is an object of the present disclosure toprovide a technique for facilitating the management of printing agent ina plurality of printing devices that include a plurality of types ofprinting devices.

In order to attain the above and other objects, the present disclosureprovides a communication device capable of communicating with aplurality of printing devices. The plurality of printing devicesincludes a first printing device and a second printing device. The firstprinting device includes: a first mounting portion; a tank; and a firstprinting portion. A first cartridge accommodates printing agent. Thefirst cartridge is mounted in the first mounting portion. The tank isconfigured to accommodate printing agent supplied from the firstcartridge. The first printing portion is configured to execute printingoperations using printing agent supplied from the tank. The secondprinting device includes: a second mounting portion; and a secondprinting portion. A second cartridge accommodates printing agent. Thesecond cartridge is mounted in the second mounting portion. The secondprinting portion is configured to execute printing operations usingprinting agent supplied from the second cartridge. The second printingdevice has no tank between the second mounting portion and the secondprinting portion. The communication device includes a processor. Theprocessor is configured to perform: (a) acquiring; (b) identifying; and(c) outputting. The (a) acquiring acquires a plurality of sets of deviceinformation on respective ones of the plurality of printing devices. Theplurality of sets of device information includes first deviceinformation corresponding to the first printing device and second deviceinformation corresponding to the second printing device. The firstdevice information indicates a first residual state of printing agent inthe first printing device. The first residual state is classified into afirst condition, a second condition, and a third condition. The firstcondition indicates that the first cartridge and the tank accommodateprinting agent. The second condition indicates that the first cartridgeis out of printing agent while the tank accommodates printing agentgreater than or equal to a first reference quantity. The third conditionindicates that the first cartridge is out of printing agent and the tankaccommodates printing agent less than the first reference quantity. Thesecond device information indicates a second residual state of printingagent in the second printing device. The second residual state isclassified into a fourth condition, a fifth condition, and a sixthcondition. The fourth condition indicates that the second cartridgeaccommodates printing agent greater than or equal to a second referencequantity. The fifth condition indicates that the second cartridgeaccommodates printing agent less than the second reference quantity andgreater than or equal to a third reference quantity smaller than thesecond reference quantity. The sixth condition indicates that the secondcartridge accommodates printing agent less than the third referencequantity. The (b) identifying identifies a first group printing devicebelonging to a first group and a second group printing device belongingto a second group in accordance with the plurality of sets of deviceinformation. The first group printing device and the second groupprinting device are identified from among the plurality of printingdevices. The (c) outputting outputs device information corresponding tothe first group printing device and device information corresponding tothe second group printing device in a distinguishable manner. The (b)identifying identifies the first printing device in the second conditionand the second printing device in the fifth condition as the first groupprinting device. The (b) identifying identifies the first printingdevice in the second condition, the first printing device in the thirdcondition, and the second printing device in the sixth condition as thesecond group printing device.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a methodfor outputting plurality of sets of device information on a plurality ofprinting devices. The plurality of printing devices includes a firstprinting device and a second printing device. The first printing deviceincludes: a first mounting portion; a tank; and a first printingportion. A first cartridge accommodates printing agent. The firstcartridge is mounted in the first mounting portion. The tank isconfigured to accommodate printing agent supplied from the firstcartridge. The first printing portion is configured to execute printingoperations using printing agent supplied from the tank. The secondprinting device includes: a second mounting portion; and a secondprinting portion. A second cartridge accommodates printing agent. Thesecond cartridge is mounted in the second mounting portion. The secondprinting portion is configured to execute printing operations usingprinting agent supplied from the second cartridge. The second printingdevice has no tank between the second mounting portion and the secondprinting portion. The method includes: (a) acquiring; (b) identifying;and (c) outputting. The (a) acquiring acquires a plurality of sets ofdevice information on respective ones of the plurality of printingdevices. The plurality of sets of device information includes firstdevice information corresponding to the first printing device and seconddevice information corresponding to the second printing device. Thefirst device information indicates a first residual state of printingagent in the first printing device. The first residual state isclassified into a first condition, a second condition, and a thirdcondition. The first condition indicates that the first cartridge andthe tank accommodate printing agent. The second condition indicates thatthe first cartridge is out of printing agent while the tank accommodatesprinting agent greater than or equal to a first reference quantity. Thethird condition indicates that the first cartridge is out of printingagent and the tank accommodates printing agent less than the firstreference quantity. The second device information indicates a secondresidual state of printing agent in the second printing device. Thesecond residual state is classified into a fourth condition, a fifthcondition, and a sixth condition. The fourth condition indicates thatthe second cartridge accommodates printing agent greater than or equalto a second reference quantity. The fifth condition indicates that thesecond cartridge accommodates printing agent less than the secondreference quantity and greater than or equal to a third referencequantity smaller than the second reference quantity. The sixth conditionindicates that the second cartridge accommodates printing agent lessthan the third reference quantity. The (b) identifying identifies afirst group printing device belonging to a first group and a secondgroup printing device belonging to a second group in accordance with theplurality of sets of device information. The first group printing deviceand the second group printing device are identified from among theplurality of printing devices. The (c) outputting outputs deviceinformation corresponding to the first group printing device and deviceinformation corresponding to the second group printing device in adistinguishable manner. The (b) identifying identifies the firstprinting device in the second condition and the second printing devicein the fifth condition as the first group printing device. The (b)identifying identifies the first printing device in the secondcondition, the first printing device in the third condition, and thesecond printing device in the sixth condition as the second groupprinting device.

According to still another aspect, the present disclosure provides anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a set of programinstructions. The set of program instructions is installed on andexecuted by a computer. The computer is capable of communicating with aplurality of printing devices. The plurality of printing devicesincludes a first printing device and a second printing device. The firstprinting device includes: a first mounting portion; a tank; and a firstprinting portion. A first cartridge accommodates printing agent. Thefirst cartridge is mounted in the first mounting portion. The tank isconfigured to accommodate printing agent supplied from the firstcartridge. The first printing portion is configured to execute printingoperations using printing agent supplied from the tank. The secondprinting device includes: a second mounting portion; and a secondprinting portion. A second cartridge accommodates printing agent. Thesecond cartridge is mounted in the second mounting portion. The secondprinting portion is configured to execute printing operations usingprinting agent supplied from the second cartridge. The second printingdevice has no tank between the second mounting portion and the secondprinting portion. The set of program instructions includes: (a)acquiring; (b) identifying; and (c) outputting. The (a) acquiringacquires a plurality of sets of device information on respective ones ofthe plurality of printing devices. The plurality of sets of deviceinformation including first device information corresponding to thefirst printing device and second device information corresponding to thesecond printing device. The first device information indicates a firstresidual state of printing agent in the first printing device. The firstresidual state is classified into a first condition, a second condition,and a third condition. The first condition indicates that the firstcartridge and the tank accommodate printing agent. The second conditionindicates that the first cartridge is out of printing agent while thetank accommodates printing agent greater than or equal to a firstreference quantity. The third condition indicates that the firstcartridge is out of printing agent and the tank accommodates printingagent less than the first reference quantity. The second deviceinformation indicates a second residual state of printing agent in thesecond printing device. The second residual state is classified into afourth condition, a fifth condition, and a sixth condition. The fourthcondition indicates that the second cartridge accommodates printingagent greater than or equal to a second reference quantity. The fifthcondition indicates that the second cartridge accommodates printingagent less than the second reference quantity and greater than or equalto a third reference quantity smaller than the second referencequantity. The sixth condition indicates that the second cartridgeaccommodates printing agent less than the third reference quantity. The(b) identifying identifies a first group printing device belonging to afirst group and a second group printing device belonging to a secondgroup in accordance with the plurality of sets of device information.The first group printing device and the second group printing device areidentified from among the plurality of printing devices. The (c)outputting outputs device information corresponding to the first groupprinting device and device information corresponding to the second groupprinting device in a distinguishable manner. The (b) identifyingidentifies the first printing device in the second condition and thesecond printing device in the fifth condition as the first groupprinting device. The (b) identifying identifies the first printingdevice in the second condition, the first printing device in the thirdcondition, and the second printing device in the sixth condition as thesecond group printing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particular features and advantages of the disclosure as well asother objects will become apparent from the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a system accordingto a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a printexecuting unit of a printer having a double-chamber supply system andconstituting the system according to the first embodiment, andparticularly illustrating a first residual condition of ink in an inkcartridge mounted in the print executing unit and an intermediate tankof the print executing unit;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the printexecuting unit of the printer having the double-chamber supply systemand constituting the system according to the first embodiment, andparticularly illustrating a second residual condition of ink in the inkcartridge mounted in the print executing unit and the intermediate tankof the print executing unit;

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the printexecuting unit of the printer having the double-chamber supply systemand constituting the system according to the first embodiment, andparticularly illustrating a third residual condition of ink in the inkcartridge mounted in the print executing unit and the intermediate tankof the print executing unit;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a printexecuting unit of a printer having a single-chamber supply system andconstituting the system according to the first embodiment, andparticularly illustrating a fourth residual condition of ink in an inkcartridge mounted in the print executing unit;

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the printexecuting unit of the printer having the single-chamber supply systemand constituting the system according to the first embodiment, andparticularly illustrating a fifth residual condition of ink in the inkcartridge mounted in the print executing unit;

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the printexecuting unit of the printer having the single-chamber supply systemand constituting the system according to the first embodiment, andparticularly illustrating a sixth residual condition of ink in the inkcartridge mounted in the print executing unit;

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an example of a management database of amanagement server constituting the system according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps in a database updating processexecuted by the management server according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating steps in a printer informationdisplay process executed by the management server according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram illustrating one example of amanagement list according to the first embodiment and particularlyillustrating an example of an initial list;

FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the one example of themanagement list according to the first embodiment and particularlyillustrating an example of an order group list;

FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram illustrating the one example of themanagement list according to the first embodiment and particularlyillustrating an example of a replace group;

FIG. 7D is an explanatory diagram illustrating the one example of themanagement list according to the first embodiment and particularlyillustrating an example of a sorted list sorted according to a totalquantity of ink for four colors;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating steps in a filtering process executedby the management server according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps in a sorting process executedby the management server according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of themanagement list according to the first embodiment and particularlyillustrating another example of the initial list;

FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the other example of themanagement list according to the first embodiment and particularlyillustrating an example of a sorted list sorted according to a quantityof C ink;

FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram illustrating the other example of themanagement list according to the first embodiment and particularlyillustrating an example of a sorted list sorted according to a quantityof Y ink;

FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram illustrating one example of themanagement list according to a second embodiment and particularlyillustrating an example of an initial list;

FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the one example of themanagement list according to the second embodiment and particularlyillustrating an example of a sorted list sorted according to a quantityof C ink in a case where a reference number of days is two days;

FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram illustrating the example of themanagement list according to the second embodiment and particularlyillustrating an example of a sorted list sorted according to a quantityof Y ink in the case where the reference number of days is two days; and

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a displayscreen according to a variation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. First Embodiment

A-1. Structure of a System 1000

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a system 1000.The system 1000 is provided with a plurality of printers includingprinters 100A, 100B, and 100C, and a management server 300 as an exampleof the communication device of the present disclosure. FIG. 1illustrates only the printers 100A, 100B, and 100C among the pluralityof printers constituting the system 1000 for the purpose of avoidingcomplication of the drawing. The printers including the printers 100A,100B, and 100C and the management server 300 are connected to a localarea network NT and can communicate with each other over the local areanetwork NT.

The printer 100A includes a central processing unit (CPU) 110constituting a controller of the printer 100A; a volatile storage 120,such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM); a nonvolatile storage 30,such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory; a display 140, such as aliquid crystal display that displays images; an operation interface 150,such as a touchscreen and buttons designed to acquire operationsperformed by the user; a print executing unit 170A; and a communicationinterface 180.

The communication interface 180 is configured to be in connection withthe local area network NT. Specifically, the communication interface 180is a wired interface conforming to Ethernet (registered trademark), or awireless interface conforming to the Wi-Fi technology (based on the IEEE(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11standard or a standard based on this standard, such as one of theversions 802.11a, 11b, 11g, and 11n).

The CPU 110 is a processor that performs data processing. The volatilestorage 120 provides a buffer region that temporarily stores variousintermediate data generated when the CPU 110 performs processes. Thenonvolatile storage 130 stores a computer program PG1 for controllingthe printer 100A, and an information database IB described later.

In the present embodiment, the computer program PG1 may be pre-stored inthe nonvolatile storage 130 when the printer 100A is manufactured.Alternatively, the computer program PG1 may be made available throughdownload from a server connected to the printer 100A over the internet,or may be provided in a recorded format, such as on a compact disc readonly memory (CD-ROM).

By executing the computer program PG1, the CPU 110 executes a printingprocess for controlling the print executing unit 170A to print images.Also, by executing the computer program PG1, the CPU 110 transmits tothe management server 300 various printer information, which is relatedto the printer 100A and is stored in the information database IB, inresponse to a request from the management server 300.

The print executing unit 170A executes printing operations under thecontrol of the CPU 110. FIGS. 2A through 2C are schematic diagramsillustrating the structures of the print executing unit 170A. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2A through 2C, the print executing unit 170A isprovided with a printing mechanism 171A, a mounting portion 172A, an inksupply opening 174A, an intermediate tank 175A, and an ink channelsection 177A.

The printing mechanism 171A is an inkjet-type printing mechanism thatprints images on paper constituting a printing medium using ink suppliedfrom an ink cartridge 200A as the printing agent. Specifically, theprinting mechanism 171A forms images on paper by ejecting ink onto thepaper from nozzles formed in a print head (not illustrated) to form dotson the paper. The printing mechanism 171A in the present embodimentprints color images using a plurality of colors of ink Ik, such as thefour ink colors cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Toavoid making the drawings too complicated, FIGS. 2A through 2Cillustrates the mounting portion 172A, ink supply opening 174A,intermediate tank 175A, and ink channel section 177A for only a singlecolor of ink Ik. However, the print executing unit 170A actuallyincludes four each of the mounting portions 172A, ink supply openings174A, intermediate tanks 175A, and ink channel sections 177A for thecorresponding four colors of ink Ik. Further, four ink cartridges 200Arespectively accommodating the four colors of ink Ik are mounted in thecorresponding mounting portions 172A of the print executing unit 170A.

Formed in the ink cartridge 200A are a main storage chamber 210A foraccommodating ink Ik, an air hole 220A, and an ink outlet 230A. The airhole 220A is an opening providing communication between the main storagechamber 210A and the external air. The ink outlet 230A is an openingthrough which the ink Ik is supplied from the main storage chamber 210Ato the print executing unit 170A. The ink outlet 230A is provided nearthe bottom of the main storage chamber 210A so as to be capable ofsupplying all of the ink Ik in the main storage chamber 210A into theprint executing unit 170A.

An integrated circuit chip (hereinafter called an “IC chip”) 250A ismounted on the outer surface of the ink cartridge 200A. The IC chip 250Ahas a memory for storing various information about the ink cartridge200A. The information stored in the memory of the IC chip 250A in thepresent embodiment includes information specifying an initial ink volumeIV constituting the quantity of ink Ik accommodated in a new inkcartridge 200A, and identification information (a serial number, forexample) identifying the ink cartridge 200A.

The mounting portion 172A is a holder, for example, in which the inkcartridge 200A is detachably mountable. The ink supply opening 174A isin connection with the ink outlet 230A of the ink cartridge 200A mountedin the mounting portion 172A, and the intermediate tank 175Acommunicates with the main storage chamber 210A via the ink supplyopening 174A and ink outlet 230A. The ink Ik in the main storage chamber210A is supplied into the print executing unit 170A through the inksupply opening 174A. The mounting portion 172A has a contact CP thatcontacts an electrode on the IC chip 250A of the ink cartridge 200A whenthe ink cartridge 200A is mounted in the mounting portion 172A. Theprinter 100A (the CPU 110) can read information stored in the memory ofthe IC chip 250A or write information to the memory of the IC chip 250Athrough the contact CP.

An auxiliary storage chamber 179A for accommodating the ink Ik and anair hole 178A are formed in the intermediate tank 175A. The air hole178A is an opening providing communication between the auxiliary storagechamber 179A and the external air. The auxiliary storage chamber 179Acommunicates with the main storage chamber 210A of the ink cartridge200A mounted in the mounting portion 172A via the ink supply opening174A, and stores ink Ik supplied from the ink cartridge 200A through theink supply opening 174A.

Hereinafter, “upstream” and “downstream” are used with respect to an inksupply direction from the ink cartridge 200A to the print executing unit170A. The upstream end of the ink channel section 177A is connected tothe bottom surface of the auxiliary storage chamber 179A of theintermediate tank 174A, and the ink channel section 177A is incommunication with the auxiliary storage chamber 179A. The downstreamend of the ink channel section 177A is connected to the print head (notillustrated) of the printing mechanism 171A. With this configuration,ink Ik in the auxiliary storage chamber 179A is supplied to the printingmechanism 171A through the ink channel section 177A.

As is clear from the above description, the intermediate tank 175A isdisposed along the path of ink Ik flowing from the ink cartridge 200Amounted in the mounting portion 172A to the printing mechanism 171A.

This type of ink supply method that provides an intermediate tank alongthe path of the ink Ik leading from the ink cartridge to the printingmechanism, as in the print executing unit 170A of the printer 100A, willbe called a double-chamber supply method. The print executing unit 170A(printing device) configured with a double-chamber supply system may bein one of three residual condition S1 through S3 representing theresidual state of ink Ik. FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate the printexecuting unit 170A in the three respective residual conditions S1through S3.

In the first residual condition S1 illustrated in FIG. 2A, ink Ikremains in the ink cartridge 200A (in the main storage chamber 210A) andin the intermediate tank 175A (in the auxiliary storage chamber 179A).In the second residual condition S2 illustrated in FIG. 2B, ink Ikremains in the intermediate tank 175A (in the auxiliary storage chamber179A), but no longer remains in the ink cartridge 200A (in the mainstorage chamber 210A), and the quantity of ink Ik in the intermediatetank 175A is at least a first reference volume V1. In the third residualcondition S3 illustrated in FIG. 2C, ink Ik remains in the intermediatetank 175A (in the auxiliary storage chamber 179A), but not in the inkcartridge 200A (in the main storage chamber 210A), and the quantity ofink Ik in the intermediate tank 175A is less than the first referencevolume V1. Here, the reference level LHa illustrated in FIGS. 2A through2C denotes a level corresponding to the boundary between the firstresidual condition S1 and second residual condition S2, and a referencelevel LHb denotes a level corresponding to the boundary between thesecond residual condition S2 and third residual condition S3.

The main storage chamber 210A in the ink cartridge 200A communicateswith the atmosphere through the air hole 220A, while the auxiliarystorage chamber 179A in the intermediate tank 175A communicates with theatmosphere through the air hole 178A. The auxiliary storage chamber 179Aof the intermediate tank 175A includes a section positioned lower (belowin FIGS. 2A to 2C) than the bottom of the main storage chamber 210A (thelower end of the main storage chamber 210A in the vertical direction)formed in the ink cartridge 200A, and a section positioned higher thanthe bottom of the main storage chamber 210A in the vertical direction.Thus, when a new ink cartridge 200A is mounted in the mounting portion172A, some of the ink Ik in the ink cartridge 200A transfers from themain storage chamber 210A into the auxiliary storage chamber 179Athrough the ink supply opening 174A. Consequently, the level ISm of inkIk in the main storage chamber 210A and the level ISs of ink Ik in theauxiliary storage chamber 179A are adjusted to the same height (see FIG.2A).

As ink Ik is consumed through printing by the printing mechanism 171A,the levels Ism and ISs drop while remaining at the same level as eachother. Once the levels ISm and ISs reach the reference level LHacorresponding to the bottom of the main storage chamber 210A, ink Ik nolonger remains in the main storage chamber 210A. Hence, the residualstate of ink Ik shifts from the first residual condition S1 illustratedin FIG. 2A to the second residual condition S2 illustrated in FIG. 2B.Here, the state in which ink Ik no longer remains in the main storagechamber 210A of the ink cartridge 200A signifies that ink Ik no longertransfers from the main storage chamber 210A into the auxiliary storagechamber 179A and includes a state in which some ink Ik remains depositedon the inner walls of the main storage chamber 210A.

The printing mechanism 171A can continue to print even after theresidual state of ink Ik has shifted to the second residual conditionS2, provided that ink Ik remains in the auxiliary storage chamber 179A.If the ink cartridge 200A is replaced with a new ink cartridge after theresidual state has shifted to the second residual condition S2, ink Ikwill not be wasted since no ink Ik remains in the old ink cartridge 200Abeing replaced. Hence, the double-chamber supply method is advantageousin that the ink cartridge 200A can be replaced while printing is stillpossible, without wasting any ink Ik.

The ink volume corresponding to the boundary between the first residualcondition S1 and the second residual condition S2 will be called aboundary ink volume BV. The boundary ink volume BV in the presentembodiment may be considered the volume of ink Ik in the auxiliarystorage chamber 179A when the level ISs in the auxiliary storage chamber179A reaches the reference level LHa. The boundary ink volume BV mayalso be considered the maximum ink volume in the second residualcondition S2. Further, the boundary ink volume BV is equivalent to thecapacity of the section of the auxiliary storage chamber 179A positionedbelow the bottom of the main storage chamber 210A.

As ink Ik continues to be consumed through printing by the printingmechanism 171A after the state of the ink Ik has shifted to the secondresidual condition S2, the level ISs continues to drop. When the levelISs drops to lower than the reference level LHb, the quantity of ink Ikin the intermediate tank 175A is reduced to less than theabove-described first reference volume V1, and the residual state of theink Ik shifts from the second residual condition S2 to the thirdresidual condition S3.

If printing were continued after the residual state of ink Ik hasshifted to the third residual condition S3, the quantity of ink Ik inthe intermediate tank 175A would continue to decrease and could lead tothe problem of air becoming mixed in the ink Ik supplied to the printingmechanism 171A. Consequently, printing with the printing mechanism 171Amust be halted once the residual state of ink Ik has shifted to thethird residual condition S3. Hence, the third residual condition S3 isthe residual state in which the intermediate tank 175A is essentiallyout of ink Ik, and, therefore, the residual state in which the printingmechanism 171A cannot print until the ink cartridge 200A has beenreplaced and ink Ik has been supplied into the intermediate tank 175A.

The information database IB stores printer information related to theprinter 100A. The printer information includes information specifyingthe serial number and model name of the printer 100A, for example. Theprinter information further includes ink information regarding the inkIk, and history information about the printing history, for example. Theink information for the printer 100A may include the initial ink volumeIV for the ink cartridge 200A, the boundary ink volume BV, a residualink volume RV, a number of remaining printing days RD, and statusinformation specifying the residual state of ink Ik. In the presentembodiment, the boundary ink volume BV is information common to all fourcolors of ink Ik, while the initial ink volume IV, residual ink volumeRV, and status information for the ink Ik is information providedindividually for each color of ink Ik. The history information for theprinter 100A is information related to the printing history, such as thenumber of printed pages printed within a specific period, and the totalnumber of printed pages.

The remaining printing days RD is a number specifying a period of dayscommensurate with the residual ink volume RV, and specifically specifiesthe period of days in which printing will be possible without replacingthe ink cartridge 200A. For example, a number of remaining printing daysRD of ten days signifies that the printer 100A can continue printing forten days from the current date without having the ink cartridge 200Areplaced. The residual ink volume RV and the remaining printing days RDmay be considered index values related to the residual quantity of inkIk.

The printer 100A (the CPU 110) maintains the printer information in theinformation database IB at the latest information by updating thehistory information and ink information stored in the informationdatabase IB each time a printing operation is executed, for example. Theinitial ink volume IV may be acquired from the memory on the IC chip250A of the ink cartridge 200A, for example. Each time the ink cartridge200A is replaced, the printer 100A records the sum of the residualquantity of ink Ik in the intermediate tank 175A at that point in timeand the initial ink volume IV in the information database IB as theresidual ink volume RV, for example. Each time a printing operation isexecuted, the printer 100A calculates the residual ink volume RV afterexecution of the printing operation by calculating the consumed quantityof ink Ik and subtracting this quantity from the residual ink volume RVprior to execution of the printing operation. Each time a printingoperation is executed, the printer 100A also updates the residual inkvolume RV recorded in the information database IB to the residual inkvolume RV after execution of the printing operation. Each time theresidual ink volume RV is updated, the printer 100A calculates theremaining printing days RD by dividing the updated residual ink volumeRV by the average quantity of ink Ik consumed per day and records theremaining printing days RD in the information database IB. The printer100A calculates the average quantity of ink Ik consumed per day on thebasis of the history information for the printer 100A.

Each time the ink cartridge 200A is replaced, the printer 100A alsoupdates the status information recorded in the information database IBto “NORMAL,” denoting the first residual condition S1, for example. Whenthe residual ink volume RV recorded in the information database IBbecomes less than the boundary ink volume BV, the printer 100A updatesthe status information recorded in the information database IB to “LOW,”denoting the second residual condition S2. When the residual ink volumeRV recorded in the information database IB becomes less than the firstreference volume V1, the printer 100A updates the status informationrecorded in the information database IB to “OUT,” denoting the thirdresidual condition S3.

The printer 100B is provided with a print executing unit 170B (seeFIG. 1) configured with the double-chamber supply system similar to theprint executing unit 170A of the printer 100A. The remaining structureof the printer 100B is also identical to that of the printer 100A.However, the capacity of the intermediate tank (auxiliary storagechamber) in the print executing unit 170B may differ from the capacityof the intermediate tank 175A (auxiliary storage chamber 179A) in theprint executing unit 170A. Further, an ink cartridge 200B (see FIG. 1)mounted in the print executing unit 170B has a different initial inkvolume IV from the initial ink volume IV in the ink cartridge 100Amounted in the print executing unit 170A.

The printer 100C is provided with a print executing unit 170C thatdiffers from the print executing unit 170A of the printer 100A. Theremaining structure of the printer 100C is identical to that of theprinter 100A. The print executing unit 170C employs a single-chambersupply method that does not provide an intermediate tank along the pathof the ink Ik flowing from an ink cartridge 200C to a printing mechanism171C of the print executing unit 170C.

FIGS. 3A through 3C are schematic diagrams illustrating the structuresof the print executing unit 170C of the printer 100C. The printexecuting unit 170C is provided with an inkjet-type printing mechanism171C similar to the printing mechanism 171A of the printer 100A, amounting portion 172C, an ink supply opening 174C, and an ink channelsection 177C.

As with the ink cartridge 200A, the ink cartridge 200C has a storagechamber 210C that accommodates ink Ik, an air hole 220C that providescommunication between the storage chamber 210C and the external air, andan ink outlet 230C through which ink Ik is supplied to the printexecuting unit 170C. As with the ink cartridge 200A, an IC chip 250C ismounted on the outer surface of the ink cartridge 200C.

The mounting portion 172C is a holder, for example, in which the inkcartridge 200C is detachably mountable. The ink supply opening 174C isin connection with the ink outlet 230C of the ink cartridge 200C mountedin the mounting portion 172C. The upstream end of the ink channelsection 177C is in connection with the ink supply opening 174C, whilethe downstream end of the ink channel section 177C is in connection withthe print head (not illustrated) in the print executing unit 170C. Withthis configuration, the printing mechanism 171C of the print executingunit 170C communicates with the storage chamber 210C of the inkcartridge 200C mounted in the mounting portion 172C, and ink Ik in theink cartridge 200C (the storage chamber 210C) is supplied to theprinting mechanism 171C through the ink channel section 177C.

The print executing unit 170C (as an example of the printing device)configured with a single-chamber supply system takes on one of threeresidual conditions S4 through S6 indicating the residual state of inkIk. FIGS. 3A through 3C illustrate the print executing unit 170C in eachof the three residual conditions S4 through S6.

The fourth residual condition S4 in FIG. 3A illustrates the state of theprint executing unit 170C when the quantity of ink Ik remaining in theink cartridge 200C (the storage chamber 210C) is greater than or equalto a second reference volume V2. The fifth residual condition S5 in FIG.3B illustrates the state of the print execution unit 170C when thequantity of ink Ik remaining in the ink cartridge 200C is less than thesecond reference volume V2 but greater than or equal to a thirdreference volume V3 that is smaller than the second reference volume V2.The sixth residual condition S6 illustrates the state of the printexecution unit 170C when the quantity of ink Ik remaining in the inkcartridge 200C is less than the third reference volume V3. In FIGS. 3Athrough 3C, a reference level LHc denotes the level of ink Ikcorresponding to the boundary between the fourth residual condition S4and fifth residual condition S5, and a reference level LHd denotes thelevel of ink Ik corresponding to the boundary between the fifth residualcondition S5 and sixth residual condition S6.

As ink Ik is consumed through printing by the printing mechanism 171C,the level IS of ink Ik drops. When the level IS of ink Ik in the inkcartridge 200C drops to lower than the reference level LHc, the residualstate of ink Ik shifts from the fourth residual condition S4 illustratedin FIG. 3A to the fifth residual condition S5 illustrated in FIG. 3B.The quantity of ink Ik in the ink cartridge 200C when the level IS is atthe reference level LHc corresponds to the second reference volume V2described above.

From this point, the level IS of ink Ik continues to drop as ink Ik isconsumed through printing by the printing mechanism 171C. When the levelIS of ink Ik in the ink cartridge 200C becomes lower than the referencelevel LHd, the residual state of ink Ik shifts from the fifth residualcondition S5 illustrated in FIG. 3B to the sixth residual condition S6illustrated in FIG. 3C. The quantity of ink Ik in the ink cartridge 200Cwhen the level IS is at the reference level LHd corresponds to the thirdreference volume V3 described above.

If printing is continued after the residual state of ink Ik has shiftedto the sixth residual condition S6, the quantity of ink Ik in the inkcartridge 200C will continue to decline, leading to the potential forair becoming mixed in the ink Ik supplied to the printing mechanism171C. Therefore, printing with the printing mechanism 171C must behalted when the residual state of ink Ik shifts to the sixth residualcondition S6. Hence, the sixth residual condition S6 is the state inwhich the ink cartridge 200C is essentially out of ink Ik and theprinting mechanism 171C cannot print until the ink cartridge 200C isreplaced. Unlike a double-chamber supply system such as the printer100A, the printer 100C employs a single-chamber supply system and, thus,is not provided with the intermediate tank 175A. Accordingly, printingcannot continue after the ink cartridge 200C runs out of ink Ik.

An information database IB in the printer 100C stores printerinformation related to the printer 100C. This printer informationincludes information specifying the serial number and model name of theprinter 100C, for example. As with the printer information for theprinter 100A, printer information for the printer 100C also includes inkinformation regarding the ink Ik, and history information about theprinting history of the printer 100C, for example. The ink informationfor the printer 100C may include the initial ink volume IV for the inkcartridge 200C, the residual ink volume RV, the number of remainingprinting days RD, and status information indicating the residual stateof ink Ik for each color of ink Ik, for example. Since the printer 100Cemploys a single-chamber supply system, the ink information for theprinter 100C does not include the boundary ink volume BV. As with thehistory information for the printer 100A, history information for theprinter 100C is information related to the printing history, such as thenumber of printed pages printed within a specific period, and the totalnumber of printed pages.

The printer 100C (the CPU 110) maintains the printing information in theinformation database IB at the latest information by updating thehistory information and ink information stored in the informationdatabase IB each time a printing operation is executed, for example. Theinitial ink volume IV may be acquired from the memory on the IC chip250C of the ink cartridge 200C, for example. Each time the ink cartridgeis replaced, the printer 100C records the initial ink volume IV in theinformation database IB as the residual ink volume RV, for example. Eachtime a printing operation is executed, the printer 100C calculates theresidual ink volume RV after execution of the printing operation bycalculating the consumed quantity of ink Ik and subtracting thisquantity from the residual ink volume RV prior to execution of theprinting operation. Each time a printing operation is executed, theprinter 100C also updates the residual ink volume RV recorded in theinformation database IB to the residual ink volume RV after execution ofthe printing operation. Each time the residual ink volume RV is updated,the printer 100C calculates the remaining printing days RD by dividingthe updated residual ink volume RV by the average quantity of ink Ikconsumed per day and records the remaining printing days RD in theinformation database IB.

Each time the ink cartridge is replaced, the printer 100C also updatesthe status information recorded in the information database IB to“NORMAL,” denoting the fourth residual condition S4, for example. Whenthe residual ink volume RV recorded in the information database IBbecomes less than the second reference volume V2, the printer 100Cupdates the status information recorded in the information database IBto “LOW,” denoting the fifth residual condition S5. When the residualink volume RV recorded in the information database IB becomes less thanthe third reference volume V1, the printer 100C updates the statusinformation recorded in the information database IB to “OUT,” denotingthe sixth residual condition S6.

The printers 100A, 100B, and 100C provided in the system 1000 have beendescribed. Although the system 1000 is provided with other printers, adescription of the other printers has been omitted, but the otherprinters each employ one of a single-chamber supply system anddouble-chamber supply system.

An adequate amount of time (two to three days, for example) is neededfor the user to obtain an ink cartridge (hereinafter called a“replacement cartridge”) to replace the ink cartridge currently in use.For example, a sufficient amount of time should be allowed for thereplacement cartridge to reach the user after the replacement cartridgehas been ordered from the manufacturer. Alternatively, a sufficientlength of time should be allowed for the person in charge of printersupplies to purchase a replacement cartridge from the store.

For a printer employing a single-chamber supply system (the printer100C, for example), the quantity of ink Ik is relatively low when theresidual state of ink Ik reaches the fifth residual condition S5 (seeFIG. 3B). Thus, in order to ensure continuous printing and avoid aperiod in which the printer runs out of ink Ik and is incapable ofprinting, a replacement cartridge for a printer employing asingle-chamber supply system should be prepared by placing an order forthe replacement cartridge or the like when the residual state of ink Ikreaches the fifth residual condition S5.

However, if the ink cartridge for a printer employing a single-chambersupply system is replaced while the residual state of ink Ik is in thefifth residual condition S5, some ink Ik will be wasted because ink Ikstill remains in the ink cartridge 200C when the residual state of theink Ik is in the fifth residual condition S5. Thus, from the perspectiveof avoiding ink wastage, there is no reason to replace the ink cartridgein a printer having a single-chamber supply system while the residualstate of ink Ik is in the fifth residual condition S5. However, when theresidual state is the sixth residual condition S6 for a printeremploying a single-chamber supply system (see FIG. 3C), the inkcartridge can be replaced without wasting any ink Ik since the inkcartridge 200C essentially does not contain ink Ik in this state.

As described above, the fifth residual condition S5 can be consideredthe state of a printer employing a single-chamber supply system forwhich a replacement cartridge must be ordered, and the sixth residualcondition S6 can be considered the state in which the ink cartridge mustbe replaced.

For a printer employing a double-chamber supply system (the printer100A, for example), the residual quantity of ink Ik is relatively lowwhen the residual state of ink Ik reaches the second residual conditionS2 (see FIG. 2B). Thus, a replacement cartridge should be ordered for aprinter having a double-chamber supply system when the residual state ofink Ik is the second residual condition S2 in order to ensure continuousprinting while avoiding a period in which the printer having thedouble-chamber supply system runs out of ink Ik and is incapable ofprinting.

If the ink cartridge in a printer employing a double-chamber supplysystem is replaced while the residual state of ink is the secondresidual condition S2, ink Ik will not be wasted since no ink Ik remainsin the ink cartridge 200A in the second residual condition S2.Therefore, the ink cartridge for a printer employing a double-chambersupply system can be replaced without wasting any ink Ik, whether theresidual state of ink Ik is the second residual condition S2 or thethird residual condition S3.

As described above, the second residual condition S2 may be considered astate in which a replacement cartridge should be ordered for a printerhaving a double-chamber supply system, and both the second residualcondition S2 and third residual condition S3 may be considered a statein which the ink cartridge of a printer having a double-chamber supplysystem should be replaced.

The management server 300 is a computer owned by the administrator ofthe printers 100A, 100B, and 100C. The management server 300 is providedwith a CPU 310 serving as the processor of the management server 300; avolatile storage 320, such as a DRAM; a nonvolatile storage 330, such asa hard disk drive or a flash memory; a display 340, such as a liquidcrystal display that displays images; an operation interface 350, suchas a keyboard, mouse, and the like; and a communication interface 380.

The communication interface 380 is connected to the local area networkNT. As with the communication interface 180 of the printer 100A, thecommunication interface 380 is a wired interface conforming withEthernet (registered trademark) or a wireless interface conforming withWi-Fi technology or a standard based on the Wi-Fi technology.

The CPU 310 is a processor that performs data processes. The volatilestorage 320 provides a buffer region for temporarily storing variousintermediate data generated when the CPU 310 performs processes. Thenonvolatile storage 330 stores a computer program PG2, and a managementdatabase PD.

The computer program PG2 is an application program provided in adownloadable format from a vendor server. Here, the vender server is aserver provided by the company that manages the system 1000 or thevendor that manufactures the printers 100A, 100B, and 100C.Alternatively, the computer program PG2 may be provided in a recordedformat, such as on a CD-ROM, or may be pre-stored in the nonvolatilestorage 330 when the management server 300 is manufactured.

By executing the computer program PG2, the management server 300 (theCPU 310) can execute processes described later related to management ofthe printers 100A, 100B, and 100C in the system 1000, such as a databaseupdating process and a printer information display process.

The management database PD records printer information collected by themanagement server 300. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the managementdatabase PD according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.4, the management database PD includes a plurality of entriesrespectively corresponding to a plurality of printers in the system1000. FIG. 4 illustrates only entries EN1, EN2, and EN3 corresponding tothe printers 100A, 100B, and 100C under management as a representative.

The entry EN1 corresponds to the printer 100A, and includes a pluralityof printer information items for the printer 100A, and specifically aserial number, a model name, an IP address, a supply system, and aboundary ink volume BV. The entry EN1 further includes a residual inkvolume RV, a number of remaining printing days RD (abbreviated as“REMAINING DAYS RD” in FIG. 4), and a residual state of ink Ik for eachof the four colors (CMYK) of ink Ik.

The serial number is identification information used to identify theprinter 100A. The model name specifies the model of the printer 100A.The IP address is an address that has been assigned to the printer 100A.

The residual state of ink Ik may take on one of the values “NORMAL,”“LOW,” and “OUT.” The supply system indicates one of the single-chambersupply system and double-chamber supply system described above, and isthe double-chamber supply system for the printer 100A.

As described above, the residual ink volume RV is the quantity of ink Ikremaining in the ink cartridge 200A and intermediate tank 175A for theprinter 100A employing a double-chamber supply system, for example. Onthe other hand, the residual ink volume RV is the quantity of ink Ikremaining in the ink cartridge 200C for the printer 100C employing asingle-chamber supply system, for example. As described above, thenumber of remaining printing days RD specifies the period of days inwhich printing will be possible without replacing the ink cartridge200A.

The entries EN2 and EN3 for the printer 100B and printer 100C,respectively, include information for the same items that are includedin the entry EN1 for the printer 100A. However, the printer 100C employsa single-chamber supply system and is not provided with an intermediatetank. Accordingly, the entry EN3 does not include a boundary ink volumeBV.

Of the printer information recorded in the management database PD in thepresent embodiment, the serial number, model name, IP address, supplysystem, and boundary ink volume BV for each printer are acquired by themanagement server 300 when operations of the system 1000 are initiated,for example. In the present embodiment, Simple Network ManagementProtocol (SNMP) is used for acquiring this information. Specifically,the management server 300 broadcasts an SNMP request over the local areanetwork NT to search for printers on the local area network NT. Theplurality of printers under management issue responses to the SNMPrequest that include their own IP addresses. The management server 300then uses each IP address received in response to the SNMP request totransmit an individual SNMP request to each of the printers undermanagement requesting the transmission of their serial number, modelname, supply system, and boundary ink volume BV, and receives the serialnumber, model name, supply system, and boundary ink volume BV for eachof the printers under management in response to these SNMP requests. Themanagement server 300 then records the corresponding serial number,model name, supply system, and boundary ink volume BV in the managementdatabase PD, thereby registering the plurality of printers as printersunder management.

Of the printer information recorded in the management database PD, theresidual ink volume RV, the remaining printing days RD, and the residualstate are acquired from a plurality of printers under management in adatabase updating process described below.

A-2. Operations of the System 1000

A-2-1. Database Updating Process

The management server 300 (the CPU 310) executes a database updatingprocess as one of management processes for managing a plurality ofprinters under management. The management server 300 continuouslyexecutes the database updating process while the computer program PG2 isrunning.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps in the database updatingprocess. In S110 of FIG. 5, the management server 300 determines whethera collection timing for collecting printer information has arrived. Thecollection timing is a predetermined timing set to periodic intervals.In the present embodiment, the collection timing arrives at a frequencyof once per hour. However, the collection timing may be set to adifferent frequency, such as once per day. When the management server300 determines that the collection timing has arrived (S110: YES), themanagement server 300 advances to S120. While the collection timing hasnot arrived (S110: NO), the management server 300 waits until thecollection timing has arrived.

In S120 the management server 300 collects printer information from eachof the printers under management. In the present embodiment, themanagement server 300 collects printer information using SNMP.Specifically, the management server 300 transmits a SNMP request to eachof the printers under management requesting desired items to becollected from the printer information. The management server 300subsequently receives this printer information from each of the printersunder management as a response to the SNMP request. In the presentembodiment, the management server 300 collects information specifyingthe residual ink volume RV, remaining printing days RD, and residualstate of ink Ik described above for each of the four colors (CMYK) ofink Ik.

In S130 the management server 300 updates the management database PD byrecording the collected printer information in the management databasePD stored in the volatile storage device 120. After updating themanagement database PD, the management server 300 returns to S110.

A-2-2. Printer Information Display Process

The management server 300 (the CPU 310) also executes a printerinformation display process as one of the management processes formanaging the printers under management. The printer information displayprocess is performed when a display request is received from the uservia the operating interface 350 to display a management list ML on thedisplay 340. The user of the management server 300 is the administratorof the system 1000, for example. The administrator of the system 1000may be a user of the printers under management or may be someone otherthan a user of the printers under management, such as the vendor of theprinters under management.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating steps in the printer informationdisplay process. In S210 of FIG. 6, the management server 300 displaysan initial list ML0 on the display 340. The initial list ML0 is adefault management list ML.

FIGS. 7A through 7D are first drawings illustrating examples ofmanagement lists ML according to the first embodiment. The initial listML0 illustrated in FIG. 7A is a list of printer information for theprinters under management (seven printers in the example of FIGS. 7Athrough 7D). The initial list ML0 is generated on the basis of themanagement database PD. The initial list ML0 includes seven linescorresponding to the seven printers under management. Each of the sevenlines includes a model name and a supply system. Each of the seven linesalso includes the residual state of ink Ik and the remaining printingdays RD (abbreviated as “REMAINING DAYS” in FIGS. 7A through 7D) foreach of the four CMYK colors of ink. The seven rows are arranged in apredetermined initial order, such as the order in which the printerswere registered in the management database PD.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A through 7D, each of the management lists MLdisplayed on the display 340 includes a first pull-down menu PMa and asecond pull-down menu PMb. The first pull-down menu PMa is an inputelement (a user interface widget) with which the user can input a filterinstruction. The second pull-down menu PMb is an input element withwhich the user can input a sort instruction.

The three filter instructions that can be inputted with the firstpull-down menu PMa are “ALL,” “ORDER,” and “REPLACE.” “ALL” is a filterinstruction indicating that the lines for all printers are to bedisplayed. “ORDER” is a filter instruction for displaying only thoselines of printers for which ink cartridges of one or more colors must beordered. “REPLACE” is a filter instruction for displaying only thoselines of printers for which ink cartridges of one or more colors must bereplaced. In this way, the management server 300 can acquire one of thefilter instructions selected by the user via the first pull-down menuPMa.

The sort instructions that can be inputted using the second pull-downmenu PMb are “-”, “INK QTY (TOTAL),” “C INK QTY,” “M INK QTY,” “Y INKQTY,” and “K INK QTY.” Here, “-” is a sort instruction for arranging thedisplayed lines in the initial order. “INK QTY (TOTAL)” is a sortinstruction for arranging the displayed printers on the basis of thetotal quantity of ink Ik for the four CMYK colors. “C INK QTY” is a sortinstruction for arranging the displayed printers on the basis of thequantity of C ink. Similarly, “M INK QTY,” “Y INK QTY,” and “K INK QTY”are sort instructions for arranging the displayed printers on the basisof the respective quantities of M, Y, and K ink. In this way, themanagement server 300 can acquire one of the sort instructions selectedby the user via the second pull-down menu PMb.

The initial list ML0 illustrated in FIG. 7A may be considered themanagement list ML to be displayed when the filter instruction is “ALL”and the sort instruction is “-”.

In S220 of FIG. 6, the management server 300 determines whether thefilter instruction selected with the first pull-down menu PMa wasmodified on the basis of a user operation. If the filter instruction wasmodified (S220: YES), in S230 the management server 300 executes afiltering process. In S240 the management server 300 displays themanagement list ML resulting from the filtering process on the display340 in place of the currently displayed management list ML. Thefiltering process and the management list ML produced from the filteringprocess will be described later. If the filter instruction was notmodified (S220: NO), the management server 300 skips steps S230 andS240.

In S250 the management server 300 determines whether the sortinstruction selected with the second pull-down menu PMb was modified onthe basis of a user operation. If the sort instruction was modified(S250: YES), in S260 the management server 300 executes a sortingprocess. In S270 the management server 300 displays the management listML resulting from the sorting process on the display 340 in place of thecurrently displayed management list ML, and subsequently returns toS220. The sorting process and the management list ML produced from thesorting process will be described later. If the sort instruction was notmodified (S250: NO), the management server 300 skips steps S260 and S270and returns to S220.

A-2-3. Filtering Process

Next, the filtering process of S230 in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating steps in the filtering process.

In S310 of FIG. 8, the management server 300 determines whether themodified filter instruction is “ALL.” If the filter instruction is “ALL”(S310: YES), in S320 the management server 300 sets the display targetsto all printers under management. However, if the filter instruction isnot “ALL” (S310: NO), the management server 300 skips S320.

In S330 the management server 300 determines whether the modified filterinstruction is “ORDER.” If the filter instruction is “ORDER” (S330:YES), in S340 the management server 300 designates the display targetsto be only those printers under management having a residual state setto the second residual condition S2 or fifth residual condition S5 forat least one color of ink Ik. The group comprising the printersdesignated in this step will be called the order group. However, whenthe filter instruction is not “ORDER” (S330: NO), the management server300 skips S340.

In S350 the management server 300 determines whether the modified filterinstruction is “REPLACE.” If the filter instruction is “REPLACE” (S350:YES), in S360 the management server 300 designates the display targetsto be only those printers under management having a residual state setto one of the second residual condition S2, third residual condition S3,and sixth residual condition S6 for at least one color of ink Ik. Thegroup formed of printers designated in this step will be called thereplace group. However, if the filter instruction is not “REPLACE”(S350: NO), the management server 300 skips S360.

In S370 the management server 300 creates a filtered list that includesthe printers designated as display targets and subsequently ends thefiltering process.

One example of a management list ML created when the filter instructionis “ALL” is the initial list ML0 illustrated in FIG. 7A. The initiallist ML0 includes all printers under management. In the example of FIG.7A, the printers under management are the seven printers having themodel names Dev_1 through Dev_7.

One example of a management list ML created when the filter instructionis “ORDER” is an order group list ML1 illustrated in FIG. 7B. The ordergroup list ML1 includes three of the seven printers under managementhaving model names Dev_2, Dev_4, and Dev_6. The printer having modelname Dev_2 has a residual state for C ink Ik set to the second residualcondition S2. The printer having model name Dev_4 has a residual statefor Y ink Ik set to the second residual condition S2. The printer havingmodel name Dev_6 has a residual state for K ink Ik set to the fifthresidual condition S5. Hence, it is clear that these three printersshould all belong to the order group. Shaded items in the order grouplist ML1 illustrated in FIG. 7B are items that were used as filteringkeys.

One example of a management list ML created when the filter instructionis “REPLACE” is a replace group list ML2 illustrated in FIG. 7C. Thisreplace group list ML2 includes four of the seven printers undermanagement having model names Dev_2 through Dev_5. The printers withmodel names Dev_2 and Dev_4 have residual states set to the secondresidual condition S2 for C and Y ink Ik, respectively, as describedabove. The printer having model name Dev_3 has a residual state for Cink Ik set to the sixth residual condition S6. The printer having modelname Dev_5 has a residual state set to the third residual condition S3for both M and K ink Ik. Hence, it is clear that these four printers allbelong to the replace group. Shaded items in the replace group list ML2illustrated in FIG. 7C are items that were used as filtering keys.

Printers having at least one color of ink Ik in the second residualcondition S2, such as the printers with model names Dev_2 and Dev_4 inthis example, are included in both the order group list ML1 and replacegroup list ML2.

A-2-4. Sorting Process

Next, the sorting process of S260 in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 9 isa flowchart illustrating steps in the sorting process.

In S410 of FIG. 9 the management server 300 determines whether themodified sort instruction is “INK QTY (TOTAL).” If the sort instructionis “INK QTY (TOTAL)” (S410: YES), in S415 the management server 300sorts the printers set as display targets on the basis of the residualstate of ink Ik and the remaining printing days RD for the four CMYKcolors. Specifically, the management server 300 sorts the printers setas the display targets such that printers satisfying the followingconditions (1) to (4) are given higher priority in order of thecondition numbers (1) to (4). The conditions (1) to (4) are as follows:

(1) Printers having a residual state set to the third residual conditionS3 or the sixth residual condition S6 for at least one of the four CMYKcolors of ink Ik, i.e., printers having a residual state of “OUT” for atleast one color of ink Ik;

(2) Printers that do not satisfy condition (1) and have a residual stateset to the second residual condition S2 for at least one of the fourCMYK colors of ink Ik, i.e., printers having a residual state set to“LOW” for at least one color of ink Ik and whose supply system is a“double-chamber supply system”;

(3) Printers that do not satisfy condition (1) and that have a residualstate set to the fifth residual condition S5 for at least one of thefour CMYK colors of ink Ik, i.e., printers having a residual state setto “LOW” for at least one color of ink Ik and whose supply system is a“single-chamber supply system”; and

(4) Printers whose residual state is set to either the first residualcondition S1 or the fourth residual condition S4 for all four CMYKcolors of ink Ik, i.e., printers having a residual state set to “NORMAL”for all colors of ink Ik.

When a plurality of printers satisfies condition (1), the printers inthis group are sorted while giving higher priority to those printershaving a larger number of colors of ink Ik whose residual state is setto either the third residual condition S3 or the sixth residualcondition S6.

When a plurality of printers satisfies condition (2), the printerssatisfying condition (2) are sorted while giving higher priority tothose printers having a larger number of colors of ink Ik whose residualstate is set to the second residual condition S2. Printers having thesame number of colors of ink Ik whose residual state is set to thesecond residual condition S2 are further sorted while giving priority tothose printers having a smaller minimum value of remaining printing daysRD for the one or more colors of ink Ik in the second residual conditionS2.

When a plurality of printers satisfies condition (3), the printerssatisfying condition (3) are sorted while giving higher priority tothose printers having a larger number of colors of ink Ik whose residualstate is set to the fifth residual condition S5. Printers having thesame number of colors of ink Ik whose residual state is set to the fifthresidual condition S5 are further sorted while giving priority to thoseprinters having a smaller minimum value of remaining printing days RDfor the one or more colors of ink Ik in the fifth residual condition S5.

When a plurality of printers satisfies condition (4), the printerssatisfying condition (4) are sorted in order of printers having asmaller minimum value of remaining printing days RD for the four colorsof ink Ik.

One example of a management list ML created when the sort instruction is“INK QTY (TOTAL)” is a sorted list ML3 illustrated in FIG. 7D. In thissorted list ML3, the seven printers set as the display targets aresorted according to conditions (1) to (4) described above. Shaded itemsin the sorted list ML3 are items that were used as sorting keys.

On the other hand, if the management server 300 determines in S410 thatthe sort instruction is not “INK QTY (TOTAL)” (S410: NO), the managementserver 300 skips S415.

In S420 the management server 300 determines whether the modified sortinstruction is the ink quantity of a specific color. The managementserver 300 determines that the sort instruction is the quantity of aspecific color of ink Ik when the instruction is one of “C INK QTY,” “MINK QTY,” “Y INK QTY,” or “K INK QTY.” If the sort instruction is thequantity of a specific color of ink Ik (S420: YES), in S425 themanagement server 300 sorts the printers set as display targets on thebasis of the residual state and the remaining printing days RD for thespecified color of ink Ik. More specifically, the management server 300sorts the printers set as the display targets such that the priority ofthe printers satisfying conditions (A) to (D) given below is set higherin alphabetical order of the conditions (A) to (D). In conditions (A) to(D), the specific color of ink Ik is the color specified in the sortinstruction. For example, when the sort instruction is “C INK QTY,” thespecific color of ink Ik is the C (cyan) ink Ik. When the sortinstruction is “Y INK QTY,” the specific color of ink Ik is the Y(yellow) ink Ik. The conditions (A) to (D) are as follows:

(A) Printers having a residual state set to the third residual conditionS3 or the sixth residual condition S6 for the specific color of ink Ik,i.e., printers whose residual state for the specific color of ink Ik is“OUT”;

(B) Printers having a residual state set to the second residualcondition S2 for the specific color of ink Ik, i.e., printers whoseresidual state for the specific color of ink Ik is “LOW” and whosesupply system is a “double-chamber supply system”;

(C) Printers having a residual state set to the fifth residual conditionS5 for the specific color of ink Ik, i.e., printers whose residual statefor the specific color of ink Ik is “LOW” and whose supply system is a“single-chamber supply system”; and

(D) Printers having a residual state set to either the first residualcondition S or the fourth residual condition S4 for the specific colorof ink Ik, i.e., printers whose residual state for the specific color ofink Ik is “NORMAL”.

When a plurality of printers satisfies condition (B), the printerssatisfying condition (B) are sorted in order of smallest number ofremaining printing days RD for the specific color of ink Ik. The samesorting method is used when a plurality of printers satisfies condition(C) or (D).

On the other hand, if the sort condition is not the quantity of aspecific color of ink Ik (S420: NO), the management server 300 skipsS425.

In S430 the management server 300 determines whether the modified sortinstruction is “-”. When the sort instruction is “-” (S430: YES), inS435 the management server 300 sorts the printers set as display targetsaccording to the initial order described above. In this case, theprinters set as display targets are sorted in the same order used in theinitial list ML0.

If the sort instruction is not “-” (S430: NO), the management server 300skips S435 and ends the sorting process.

FIGS. 10A through 10C are second drawings illustrating examples ofmanagement lists ML according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10Aillustrates a different example of the initial list ML0. The residualstates of ink Ik and the numbers of remaining printing days RD for someof the printers in the initial list ML0 of FIG. 10A have been modifiedfrom those in the initial list ML0 of FIG. 7A for purposes of thisdescription.

One example in FIGS. 10A through 10C of a management list ML createdwhen the sort instruction is “C INK QTY” is a sorted list ML4illustrated in FIG. 10B. As is clear from the shaded items in the sortedlist ML4, the seven printers having model names Dev_1 through Dev_7 weresorted on the basis of the conditions (A) to (D) described above with Cink Ik set as the specific color of ink Ik.

Another example of a management list ML in FIGS. 10A through 10C createdwhen the sort instruction is “Y INK QTY” is a sorted list ML5illustrated in FIG. 10C. As indicated by the shaded items in the sortedlist ML5, the seven printers having model names Dev_1 through Dev_7 weresorted on the basis of the conditions (A) to (D) described above with Yink Ik set as the specific color of ink Ik.

In the filtering process (FIG. 8) according to the embodiment describedabove, the management server 300 identifies one or more printers amongthe printers under management that belong to the order group as displaytargets (S340 in FIG. 8). As described above, the order group includesprinters employing double-chamber supply systems and having a residualstate set to the second residual condition S2, and printers employingsingle-chamber supply systems and having a residual state set to thefifth residual condition S5. The order group is configured of a group ofprinters for which replacement cartridges must be prepared (ordered, forexample). In the filtering process according to the embodiment describedabove, the management server 300 also identifies one or more printersamong the printers under management that belong to the replace group asdisplay targets (S360 in FIG. 8). As described above, the replace groupincludes printers employing double-chamber supply systems and having aresidual state set to the second residual condition S2, printersemploying double-chamber supply systems and having a residual state setto the third residual condition S3, and printers employingsingle-chamber supply systems and having a residual state set to thesixth residual condition S6. The replace group is configured of a groupof printers having ink cartridges that must be replaced. The managementserver 300 separately outputs information for printers belonging to theorder group, and information for printers belonging to the replace group(S370 of FIG. 8, S240 of FIG. 6).

As described above, when the residual state of ink Ik in the printer100A employing a double-chamber supply system is the second residualcondition S2, the printer 100A can continue printing since ink Ikremains in the intermediate tank 175A though not in the ink cartridge200A. Thus, when a printer employing a double-chamber supply system isin this state, a replacement cartridge must be prepared, and the inkcartridge should be replaced since replacing the ink cartridge will notwaste any ink Ik. For this reason, printers employing a double-chambersupply system and having a residual state set to the second residualcondition S2 are identified both as printers belonging to the ordergroup and printers belonging to the replace group in the presentembodiment (S340 and S360 in FIG. 8). Hence, this method can facilitatethe user in seeing which of a plurality of printers that includeprinters with double-chamber supply systems and printers withsingle-chamber supply systems are printers for which replacementcartridges must be prepared, and printers in which ink cartridges mustbe replaced, thereby facilitating the management of ink Ik in theprinters.

More specifically, when the management server 300 acquires the filterinstruction “ORDER” (S330: YES in FIG. 8), the management server 300displays information on printers belonging to the order group (S370 inFIG. 8, S240 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7B). When the management server 300acquires the filter instruction “REPLACE” (S350: YES in FIG. 8), themanagement server 300 displays information on printers belonging to thereplace group (S370 in FIG. 8, S240 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7C). Thus, themanagement server 300 can accurately differentiate and displayinformation on printers for which replacement cartridges must beprepared, and information on printers in which ink cartridges must bereplaced in response to instructions from the user. For example, byinputting the filter instruction “ORDER,” the user of the managementserver 300 can easily see which printers need to have replacementcartridges prepared and can easily order replacement cartridges forthose printers. Once the user acquires the replacement cartridges, theuser can input the filter instruction “REPLACE” to easily see which ofthe printers need ink cartridges to be replaced and can easily replacethe ink cartridges.

In the sorting process of FIG. 9 according to the embodiment describedabove, the management server 300 sorts a plurality of printers on thebasis of the residual state of ink Ik in the printers under managementand displays a management list ML providing information on the sortedprinters (S415 and S425 in FIG. 9, FIGS. 7D, 10B, and 10C). In otherwords, the management server 300 sets an order of priority for theprinters under management on the basis of the residual states of ink Ikin those printers and displays information on printers as displaytargets according to this order of priority. Thus, the management server300 can accurately display information on a plurality of printersaccording to an order of priority.

Specifically, when sorting printers according to the above conditions(1) to (4), the management server 300 gives printers that satisfycondition (2) higher priority than printers that satisfy condition (3).Similarly, when sorting printers according to the above conditions (A)to (D), the management server 300 gives printers that satisfy condition(B) higher priority than printers that satisfy condition (C). In otherwords, the management server 300 sets the priority for printers havingdouble-chamber supply systems and a residual state in the secondresidual condition S2 higher than the priority for printers having asingle-chamber supply system and a residual state in the fifth residualcondition S5. As described above, the ink cartridge 200A for the printer100A employing a double-chamber supply system can be replaced at anytime without wasting ink Ik when the residual state of the ink Ik is thesecond residual condition S2. On the other hand, ink Ik still remains inthe ink cartridge 200C of the printer 100C employing a single-chambersupply system when the residual state of the ink Ik is in the fifthresidual condition S5. Consequently, ink Ik would be wasted if the inkcartridge 200C were replaced in this state. By setting the priority forprinters having double-chamber supply systems and a residual state inthe second residual condition S2 higher than the priority for printersemploying single-chamber supply systems and having a residual state inthe fifth residual condition S5 as described above, information onprinters for which replacing an ink cartridge would not waste ink Ik isdisplayed with higher priority than information on printers whosecartridge replacement would waste ink Ik. Displaying the printers inthis order of priority increases the probability that ink cartridgeswill be replaced without wasting ink Ik.

As described above, the management server 300 also sorts a plurality ofprinters that satisfy condition (2) or condition (B) while giving higherpriority to printers having a smaller number of remaining printing daysRD. In other words, the management server 300 sets a higher priority forprinters having double-chamber supply systems and a residual state setto the second residual condition S2 when the number of the remainingprinting days RD is smaller. Here, the need to order and replace inkcartridges in printers having double-chamber supply systems and aresidual state set to the second residual condition S2 is, assuming thatthe average quantity of ink Ik consumed per day for each of the printersis equal, greater when the quantity of ink Ik corresponding to theremaining printing days RD, i.e., the quantity of ink Ik in theintermediate tank 175A, is lower. According to the embodiment describedabove, information on printers having a lower quantity of ink Ik in theintermediate tank 175A (having a smaller number of remaining printingdays RD) is displayed with greater priority. This priority increases theprobability that the ink cartridges will be properly replaced so as toavoid a condition in which printing cannot be continued.

The management server 300 also sorts a plurality of printers thatsatisfy condition (3) or condition (C) while giving higher priority tothose printers having a smaller number of remaining printing days RD. Inother words, the management server 300 sets the priority for printershaving a single-chamber supply system and a residual state set to thefifth residual condition S5 higher when the number of the remainingprinting days RD is smaller. The need for ordering ink cartridges inprinters having single-chamber supply systems and a residual state setto the fifth residual condition S5 is, assuming that the averagequantity of ink Ik consumed per day for each of the printers is equal,greater when the quantity of ink Ik corresponding to the remainingprinting days RD, i.e., the quantity of ink Ik in the ink cartridge200C, is smaller because printing cannot be continued if the inkcartridge 200C runs out of ink Ik. In the embodiment described above,the management server 300 gives greater priority to displayinginformation on printers having a smaller quantity of ink Ik in the inkcartridge 200C (having a smaller number of remaining printing days RD).This order can increase the probability that the ink cartridges will bereplaced properly so as to avoid a situation in which printing cannot becontinued.

As can be understood from the above description, a printer employing adouble-chamber supply system in the present embodiment is an example ofthe first printing device of the present disclosure, and a printeremploying a single-chamber supply system in the present embodiment is anexample of the second printing device of the present disclosure. Theorder group is an example of the first group of the present disclosure,and the replace group is an example of the second group of the presentdisclosure.

B. Second Embodiment

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described abovein the method of sorting used in S420 of the sorting process in FIG. 9.In S420 of the second embodiment, the management server 300 sortsprinters as display targets so that printers satisfying conditions (A2)to (E2) described below are given higher priority in alphabetical orderof the conditions (A2) to (E2). As in the first embodiment, the specificcolor of ink Ik used in conditions (A2) to (E2) is the color of ink Ikspecified in the sort instruction. The conditions (A2) to (E2) are asfollows:

(A2) Printers satisfying condition (A) in the first embodiment;

(B2) Printers among those printers satisfying condition (B) in the firstembodiment and those printers satisfying condition (C) in the firstembodiment whose number of remaining printing days RD for the specificcolor of ink Ik is less than or equal to a prescribed reference numberof days TD (two days in the present embodiment), i.e., printers whoseresidual state for the specific color of ink Ik is “LOW” and whosenumber of remaining printing days RD for the specific color of ink Ik isless than or equal to the reference number of days TD;

(C2) Printers among those printers satisfying condition (B) in the firstembodiment whose number of remaining printing days RD for the specificcolor of ink Ik is greater than the prescribed reference number of daysTD, i.e., printers whose residual state for the specific color of ink Ikis “LOW,” whose supply system is “double-chamber supply system,” andwhose number of remaining printing days RD for the specific color of inkIk is greater than the reference number of days TD;

(D2) Printers among those printers satisfying condition (C) in the firstembodiment whose number of remaining printing days RD for the specificcolor of ink Ik is greater than the prescribed reference number of daysTD, i.e., printers whose residual state for the specific color of ink Ikis “LOW,” whose supply system is “single-chamber supply system,” andwhose number of remaining printing days RD for the specific color of inkIk is greater than the reference number of days TD; and

(E2) Printers satisfying condition (D) in the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, when a plurality of printers satisfiescondition (B2), the printers satisfying condition (B2) are sorted inorder of the smallest number of remaining printing days RD for thespecific color of ink Ik. The same sorting process is used when aplurality of printers satisfies any of conditions (C2) to (E2).

FIGS. 11A through 11C illustrate examples of management lists MLaccording to the second embodiment. FIG. 11A is an example of theinitial list ML0 and is identical to the initial list ML0 in FIG. 10A.

One example in FIGS. 11A through 11C for a management list ML createdwhen the sort instruction is “C INK QTY” is a sorted list ML6illustrated in FIG. 11B. As indicated by the shaded items in the sortedlist ML6, the seven printers having the model names Dev_1 through Dev_7are sorted on the basis of conditions (A2) to (E2) described above withC ink Ik set as the specific color of ink Ik and two days set as thereference number of days TD.

Another example in FIGS. 11A through 11C of a management list ML createdwhen the sort instruction is “Y INK QTY” is a sorted list ML7illustrated in FIG. 11C. As indicated by the shaded items in the sortedlist ML7, the seven printers having model names Dev_1 through Dev_7 aresorted on the basis of conditions (A2) to (E2) described above with Yink Ik set as the specific color of ink Ik and two days set as thereference number of days TD.

According to the second embodiment described above, printers thatsatisfy condition (B2) are given a higher priority than printers thatsatisfy either of conditions (C2) or (D2). Therefore, printers whoseremaining printing days RD for the specific color of ink Ik is less thanor equal to the reference number of days TD among printers employing adouble-chamber supply system and having a residual state set to thesecond residual condition S2 and printers employing a single-chambersupply system and having a residual state set to the fifth residualcondition S5 are given a higher priority for a smaller number ofremaining printing days RD, irrespective of the type of printer.

In addition, printers that satisfy condition (C2) are given a higherpriority than printers that satisfy condition (D2). Therefore, printerswhose remaining printing days RD for the specific color of ink Ik isgreater than the reference number of days TD among printers employing adouble-chamber supply system and having a residual state set to thesecond residual condition S2 and printers employing a single-chambersupply system and having a residual state set to the fifth residualcondition S5 are ordered such that the priority of printers having adouble-chamber supply system and a residual state set to the secondresidual condition S2 is higher than the priority of printers having asingle-chamber supply system and a residual state set to the fifthresidual condition S5.

When the number of remaining printing days RD is less than or equal tothe reference number of days TD, the need to order a replacementcartridge is high regardless of whether the printer employs adouble-chamber supply system or a single-chamber supply system. If thereis a delay in ordering the replacement cartridge when the number ofremaining printing days RD is less than or equal to the reference numberof days TD, there is a strong possibility that the printer will run outof ink Ik and be unable to continue printing. On the other hand, if theremaining printing days RD is greater than the reference number of daysTD, for printers employing a double-chamber supply system, the ink Ikcan be replenished at any time without wasting any ink Ik, provided thatthe residual state of the ink Ik is set to the second residual conditionS2. However, for printers employing a single-chamber supply system, inkIk will be wasted if the ink cartridge is replaced too early when theresidual state of ink Ik is set to the fifth residual condition S5.According to the second embodiment, printers whose remaining printingdays RD for the specific color of ink Ik is less than or equal to thereference number of days TD are set to a higher priority for a smallernumber of remaining printing days RD, regardless of the type of printer.This method suppresses delays in the ordering of replacement cartridgesthat can result in the printer running out of ink Ik and becoming unableto continue printing. For printers whose number of remaining printingdays RD for the specific color of ink Ik is greater than the referencenumber of days TD, the priority of printers having a double-chambersupply system and a residual state set to the second residual conditionS2 is set higher than the priority for printers having a single-chambersupply system and a residual state set to the fifth residual conditionS5. This method increases the likelihood that the ink cartridges will bereplaced without wasting ink Ik.

C. Variations of the Embodiments

(1) In the embodiments described above, the management server 300separately displays information on printers belonging to the order groupand information on printers belonging to the replace group by displayingthe order group list ML1 illustrated in FIG. 7B when the sortinstruction is “ORDER” and by displaying the replace group list ML2illustrated in FIG. 7C when the sort instruction is “REPLACE.” As analternative, the management server 300 may separately displayinformation on printers belonging to the order group and information onprinters belonging to the replace group by displaying the order grouplist ML1 and simultaneously displaying the replace group list ML2separate from the order group list ML1.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a display screen WB according to thisvariation. The management server 300 may display the display screen WBin FIG. 12 on the display 340, for example. The display screen WBincludes the order group list ML1, and the replace group list ML2arranged separately from the order group list ML1. In this variation,the management server 300 can still properly separate and outputinformation on printers belonging to the order group and information onprinters belonging to the replace group.

(2) In the sorting process according to the embodiments (FIG. 9), theremaining printing days RD functioning as an index value for theresidual quantity of ink Ik is used as a sorting key. As a variation,the residual ink volume RV may be used as a sorting key, or the ratio ofthe residual ink volume RV to the residual quantity of ink Ik when theink cartridge is replaced (initial ink volume IV) may be used as asorting key.

(3) In the embodiments described above, the remaining printing days RDis calculated by dividing the residual ink volume RV by the averagequantity of ink consumed per day. As a variation, the remaining printingdays RD may be acquired by identifying an approximation line showing thedecline in residual ink volume RV, for example, based on the history inwhich the residual ink volume decreases with the passage of time and byidentifying the date at which the residual ink volume RV becomes zerobased on the approximation line. Here, the date at which the residualink volume RV becomes zero may be identified with the assumption thatthe residual ink volume RV does not decline during periods in which theprinter is not expected to be operating, such as on holidays or duringthe night.

(4) In the embodiments described above, the number of remaining printingdays RD is calculated on each printer and the management server 300acquires the numbers of remaining printing days RD from the printers. Asa variation, the management server 300 may acquire the remainingprinting days RD by calculating the remaining printing days RD using theresidual ink volume RV periodically acquired from each printer.

(5) As an example of the printers under management in the embodimentsdescribed above, the printer 100A is provided with the printingmechanism 171A that prints color images using ink Ik in the colors C, M,Y, and K. However, the printers under management may be provided with aprinting mechanism 171A that prints monochrome images using a single inkcolor (black (K), for example).

(6) As an example of the printers under management in the embodimentsdescribed above, the printer 100A is provided with an inkjet-typeprinting mechanism 171A. However, the printer 100A may instead beprovided with a printing mechanism employing an electrophotographicsystem (laser system, for example) for printing images using toner asthe printing agent. In this case, the print executing unit may beprovided with a mounting portion in which a toner cartridge ismountable, a printing mechanism that executes printing operations usingthe tonner accommodated in the toner cartridge mounted in the mountingportion, and a tank (a sub tank for temporarily storing toner, forexample) disposed along the path that toner travels from the tonercartridge mounted in the mounting portion to the printing mechanism. Thepresent disclosure may be applied to this type of printer provided witha double-chamber supply system for supplying toner.

Similarly, the printer 100C may be provided with a printing mechanismemploying an electrophotographic system (laser system, for example). Inthis case, the print executing unit of the printer 100C may be providedwith a mounting portion in which a toner cartridge is mountable, aprinting mechanism that executes printing operations using the toneraccommodated in the toner cartridge mounted in the mounting portion, anda tank disposed along the path that toner travels from the tonercartridge mounted in the mounting portion to the printing mechanism. Thepresent disclosure may be applied to this type of printer provided witha single-chamber supply system for supplying toner.

(7) In the embodiments and variations described above, the managementlists ML in FIGS. 7A through 7D, 10A through 10C, 11A through 11C, and12 are displayed on the display 340. As another variation, themanagement server 300 may execute the printer information displayprocess in FIG. 6 when a start request is transmitted from the user'sterminal device (a smartphone, for example) to the management server300, and may output (transmit) screen data for displaying the managementlist ML to this terminal device in S270 of FIG. 6. In this case, themanagement list ML is displayed on a display of the user's terminaldevice.

(8) While the management server 300 is connected to the local areanetwork NT in the present embodiments, the management server 300 may beconnected to the internet instead. In this case, the printers 100A,100B, and 100C under management periodically and automatically transmitprinter information to the management server 300, for example. Themanagement server 300 uses this printer information to execute thedatabase updating process in FIG. 5 and the printer information displayprocess in FIG. 6. In this case, the management server 300 may be acloud server, for example, that includes a plurality of computerscapable of communicating with each other over a network.

(9) In the embodiments described above, part of the configurationimplemented in hardware may be replaced with software and, conversely,all or part of the configuration implemented in software may be replacedwith hardware.

(10) When all or some of the functions of the present disclosure areimplemented with computer programs, the programs may be stored on acomputer-readable storage medium (a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium, for example). The programs may be used on the samestorage medium on which they were supplied or may be transferred to adifferent storage medium (a computer-readable storage medium). The“computer-readable storage medium” may be a portable storage medium,such as a memory card or a CD-ROM; an internal storage device built intothe computer, such as any of various ROM or the like; or an externalstorage device, such as a hard disk drive, connected to the computer.

While the description has been made in detail with reference to specificembodiments and variations thereof, it would be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madethereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication device capable of communicatingwith a plurality of printing devices including a first printing deviceand a second printing device, the first printing device including: afirst mounting portion in which a first cartridge accommodating printingagent is mounted; a tank configured to accommodate printing agentsupplied from the first cartridge; and a first printing portionconfigured to execute printing operations using printing agent suppliedfrom the tank, the second printing device including: a second mountingportion in which a second cartridge accommodating printing agent ismounted; and a second printing portion configured to execute printingoperations using printing agent supplied from the second cartridge, thesecond printing device having no tank between the second mountingportion and the second printing portion, the communication devicecomprising a processor configured to perform: acquiring a plurality ofsets of device information on respective ones of the plurality ofprinting devices, the plurality of sets of device information includingfirst device information corresponding to the first printing device andsecond device information corresponding to the second printing device,the first device information indicating a first residual state ofprinting agent in the first printing device, the first residual statebeing classified into a first condition, a second condition, and a thirdcondition, the first condition indicating that the first cartridge andthe tank accommodate printing agent, the second condition indicatingthat the first cartridge is out of printing agent while the tankaccommodates printing agent greater than or equal to a first referencequantity, the third condition indicating that the first cartridge is outof printing agent and the tank accommodates printing agent less than thefirst reference quantity, the second device information indicating asecond residual state of printing agent in the second printing device,the second residual state being classified into a fourth condition, afifth condition, and a sixth condition, the fourth condition indicatingthat the second cartridge accommodates printing agent greater than orequal to a second reference quantity, the fifth condition indicatingthat the second cartridge accommodates printing agent less than thesecond reference quantity and greater than or equal to a third referencequantity smaller than the second reference quantity, the sixth conditionindicating that the second cartridge accommodates printing agent lessthan the third reference quantity; and outputting device information ofboth the first printing device and the second printing device, based onthe first residual state classified into the first condition, the secondcondition, and the third condition, and the second residual stateclassified into the fourth condition, the fifth condition, and the sixthcondition.
 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, inthe outputting, the device information of the first printing device inthe second condition and the device information of the second printingdevice in the fifth condition are outputted in a distinguishable manner.3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein, in theoutputting, the device information of the first printing device in thethird condition and the device information of the second printing devicein the sixth condition are outputted in a common manner.
 4. Thecommunication device according to claim 2, wherein, in the outputting,the device information of the first printing device in the secondcondition and the device information of the first printing device in thethird condition are outputted in a common manner.
 5. The communicationdevice according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured tofurther perform identifying a first group printing device belonging to afirst group and a second group printing device belonging to a secondgroup in accordance with the plurality of sets of device information,the first group printing device and the second group printing devicebeing identified from among the plurality of printing devices.
 6. Thecommunication device according to claim 5, wherein the outputtingincludes outputting device information corresponding to the first groupprinting device and device information corresponding to the second groupprinting device in a distinguishable manner.
 7. The communication deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the identifying identifies the firstprinting device in the second condition and the second printing devicein the fifth condition as the first group printing device, andidentifies the first printing device in the second condition, the firstprinting device in the third condition, and the second printing devicein the sixth condition as the second group printing device.
 8. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a set of programinstructions installed on and executed by a computer capable ofcommunicating with a plurality of printing devices including a firstprinting device and a second printing device, the first printing deviceincluding: a first mounting portion in which a first cartridgeaccommodating printing agent is mounted; a tank configured toaccommodate printing agent supplied from the first cartridge; and afirst printing portion configured to execute printing operations usingprinting agent supplied from the tank, the second printing deviceincluding: a second mounting portion in which a second cartridgeaccommodating printing agent is mounted; and a second printing portionconfigured to execute printing operations using printing agent suppliedfrom the second cartridge, the second printing device having no tankbetween the second mounting portion and the second printing portion, theset of program instructions comprising: acquiring a plurality of sets ofdevice information on respective ones of the plurality of printingdevices, the plurality of sets of device information including firstdevice information corresponding to the first printing device and seconddevice information corresponding to the second printing device, thefirst device information indicating a first residual state of printingagent in the first printing device, the first residual state beingclassified into a first condition, a second condition, and a thirdcondition, the first condition indicating that the first cartridge andthe tank accommodate printing agent, the second condition indicatingthat the first cartridge is out of printing agent while the tankaccommodates printing agent greater than or equal to a first referencequantity, the third condition indicating that the first cartridge is outof printing agent and the tank accommodates printing agent less than thefirst reference quantity, the second device information indicating asecond residual state of printing agent in the second printing device,the second residual state being classified into a fourth condition, afifth condition, and a sixth condition, the fourth condition indicatingthat the second cartridge accommodates printing agent greater than orequal to a second reference quantity, the fifth condition indicatingthat the second cartridge accommodates printing agent less than thesecond reference quantity and greater than or equal to a third referencequantity smaller than the second reference quantity, the sixth conditionindicating that the second cartridge accommodates printing agent lessthan the third reference quantity; and outputting device information ofboth the first printing device and the second printing device, based onthe first residual state classified into the first condition, the secondcondition, and the third condition, and the second residual stateclassified into the fourth condition, the fifth condition, and the sixthcondition.
 9. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumaccording to claim 8, wherein, in the outputting, the device informationof the first printing device in the second condition and the deviceinformation of the second printing device in the fifth condition areoutputted in a distinguishable manner.
 10. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium according to claim 9, wherein, in theoutputting, the device information of the first printing device in thethird condition and the device information of the second printing devicein the sixth condition are outputted in a common manner.
 11. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 9,wherein, in the outputting, the device information of the first printingdevice in the second condition and the device information of the firstprinting device in the third condition are outputted in a common manner.12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according toclaim 8, wherein the set of program instructions further comprisesidentifying a first group printing device belonging to a first group anda second group printing device belonging to a second group in accordancewith the plurality of sets of device information, the first groupprinting device and the second group printing device being identifiedfrom among the plurality of printing devices.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium according to claim 12, wherein theoutputting includes outputting device information corresponding to thefirst group printing device and device information corresponding to thesecond group printing device in a distinguishable manner.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 12,wherein the identifying identifies the first printing device in thesecond condition and the second printing device in the fifth conditionas the first group printing device, and identifies the first printingdevice in the second condition, the first printing device in the thirdcondition, and the second printing device in the sixth condition as thesecond group printing device.